A landmark moment in the intersection of art and mobility will unfold at Art Basel Hong Kong 2026, where Robert Rauschenberg’s iconic BMW 635CSi Art Car (1986) will be presented in Asia for the first time. The unveiling marks a significant milestone within the global BMW Art Car Collection, coinciding with the centennial of the artist’s birth and celebrating the enduring cultural partnership between BMW Group and Art Basel.

For more than two decades, BMW has served as a long-term partner of Art Basel, supporting the fair through cultural initiatives and its VIP car service. This year’s presentation highlights the visionary work of Rauschenberg, whose Art Car exemplifies the innovative spirit that has defined the BMW Art Car Collection for nearly five decades.

Transforming the BMW 635CSi into a dynamic artwork, Rauschenberg layered photographic imagery and references from art history and everyday life across the vehicle’s body, creating what he famously described as a “drivable museum.”

Art On Wheels

According to Courtney J. Martin, Executive Director of the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, the car’s debut in Asia carries both symbolic and cultural significance. Appearing alongside the exhibition Robert Rauschenberg and Asia at M+ Museum, the presentation underscores the artist’s global influence and his longstanding engagement with the region. As Martin notes, the Art Car reflects Rauschenberg’s unconventional artistic practice, blurring the boundaries between painting, sculpture, technology, and everyday experience.

First created in 1986, the Art Car embodies Rauschenberg’s belief that art should move beyond traditional spaces. “I think mobile museums would be a good idea. This car is the fulfilment of my dream,” the artist once remarked. The vehicle stands as a powerful symbol of art in motion—an object that merges creativity, engineering, and cultural commentary.

The presentation forms part of the broader BMW Art Car World Tour, which brings historic works from the collection to audiences around the globe. By showcasing Rauschenberg’s “rolling sculpture,” BMW continues to emphasize the deep connections between art, design, motorsport, and technology—fields that have long inspired the collection’s unique collaborations with internationally renowned artists.

Further exploring Rauschenberg’s legacy, a panel discussion titled “Robert Rauschenberg and the Velocity of Art” will take place during the fair. The conversation will bring together Russell Storer, Associate Director of Curatorial Affairs at M+ and curator of the exhibition Rauschenberg and Asia; Courtney J. Martin; and Thomas Girst, Global Head of Cultural Engagement at BMW Group. Together, they will examine how Rauschenberg’s experimental approach continues to influence contemporary dialogue across art, institutions, and corporate cultural engagement.

As the Art Car makes its long-awaited debut in Asia, the presentation not only celebrates the legacy of one of the twentieth century’s most influential artists but also reaffirms BMW’s commitment to fostering meaningful cultural exchange through art.